Fremantle builds up Buzzr team

MIPTV: FremantleMedia North America has made four senior executive appointments to lead the launch of its forthcoming digital channel, Buzzr.

Ron Garfield

The channel, launching in June on 17 local Fox networks in the US in association with distributor Debmar-Mercury, will air content from FremantleMedia’s 40,000-hour gameshow library. Family Feud, The Price is Right and Beat the Clock will lead the schedule.

The move into the channels business is being led by FremantleMedia North America’s CEO Thom Beers, who recently hired industry veteran Ron Garfield as executive VP and general manager of the network.

The four appointments build out the Buzzr team, with Mark Deetjen arriving as VP of programming and Jaime Klein as VP of creative services. Keisha McCorry has been named VP of marketing, while Marissa Mongiello will be VP of traffic.

Family Feud

Deetjen was previously VP of programming at Sony Pictures Television, where he oversaw the launch of three of the company’s TV networks and associated VoD services. He previously held executive positions at Viva Vision, Amp’d Mobile and Fountain Productions.

Klein was with GSN prior to his move, working as VP of on-air promotion, producing shortform programming, promotional spots and digital content. He also had a stint as VP of on-air promotion at E!.

McCorry was previously VP of domestic TV marketing at Lionsgate TV, while Mongiello joins from NBCUniversal where she was traffic director for E! and Style.